Dropped $340 on a down quilt for the Sierra trip and it saved my butt at 11,200 ft
Everyone kept saying a 20 degree quilt was overkill for a July route out of Onion Valley, but that third night above Kearsarge Pass hit 24 degrees with wind and I was the only one in camp not shivering. My buddy brought a cheap 40 degree bag and ended up sleeping in his puffy with his hands in his armpits. I paid $340 at the REI in Fresno two days before we left and honestly it felt dumb at the time. Has anyone else had a gear splurge that turned out way more important than they expected on a specific route?